Switch control means for a photocopy machine

ABSTRACT

An electrostatic photocopy machine comprising an original document transport means having a sheet copier position for reproducing an original document sheet of substantially any length and a book copier position for reproducing a book or other type original document of substantial thickness. In either the sheet or book copier position, increments of a moving original document are produced onto a simultaneously moving length of copy paper. A movable book carrier is removably attached to the machine when the original transport means is in the book copier position. Switch control means, including a cam driven by a continuous chain, is used to turn the corona and the high intensity lamp on and off.

United States Patent Murgas et al.

[54] SWITCH CONTROL MEANS FOR A PHOTOCOPY MACHINE [72] Inventors: KarlM. Murgas, Lincolnwood; Burton Greenberg, Skokie; Otto A. Clark,Chicago, all of I11.

[73] Assignee: ICP, Inc., Skokie, Ill.

[22] Filed: Aug. 21, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 65,769

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.745,841, July 18, 1968, Pat. No. 3,597,074.

152] US. Cl ..355/14 [51] Int. Cl. ..G03g 15/00 [58] Field of Search..355/14, 3

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,318,213 5/1967 Kowalski..355/14 3,352,218 11/1967 Ostensen ..355/14 X 3,490,843 l/l970 Charlapet al. ..355/14 Oct. 24, 1972 3,558,224 1/1971 Murgasetal. ..355/513,594,079 7/1971 Murgasetal. ..355/8 Primary ExaminerSamuel S. MatthewsAssistant Examiner-Kenneth C. Hutchison Attorney-J. Patrick Cagney 57]ABSTRACT An electrostatic photocopy machine comprising an originaldocument transport means having a sheet copier position for reproducingan original document sheet of substantially any length and a book copierposition for reproducing a book or other type original document ofsubstantial thickness. ln either the sheet or book copier position,increments of a moving original document are produced onto asimultaneously moving length of copy paper. A movable book carrier isremovably attached to the machine when the original transport means isin the book copier position.

Switch control means, including a cam driven by a continuous chain, isused to turn the corona and the highintensity lamp on and off.

7 Claims, 1 1 Drawing Figures Patented Oct. 24, 1972 I 3,700,326

4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS KARL M MURGAS BURTON GREENBERG BY OTTO A.CLARK ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 24, 1972 4 Shee'us-Shee'l' 2 INVENTORSKARL M. MURGAS BURTON GREENBERG BY OTTO A. CLARK ATTORNEYS Patented Oct.24,1972 I I 3,700,326

4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS L M. MURGAS T GREEN RG BY OTTO CLAR ZQMLSQRLATTORNEY Patented Oct. 24, 1972 3,700,326

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 AC LINEZ FIGH INVENTORS KARL M. MURGAS BURTON GREENBERGBY OTTO A CLARK ATTORNEY SWITCH CONTROL MEANS FOR A PHOTOCOPY MACHINEBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The subject invention is acontinuation-in-part of a U. S. Pat. application entitled A CombinationSheet and Book Copy Machine," filed July 18, 1968 and having Ser. No.745,841, now US. Pat. No. 3,597,074, granted Aug. 3, I971.

The present invention relates generally to photocopy machines and moreparticularly to electrostatic photocopy machines for reproducing amoving original document sheet or book onto a length of simultaneouslymoving copy paper pulled from a rolled supply. Still more particularly,the invention relates to a switch control means for a photocopy machine.

Briefly, electrostatic photocopy machines are commonly constructed toinitially charge specially coated copy paper, and then transfer theimage of an original document through an optical camera system and ontothe charged copy paper. Thereafter, the exposed copy paper is passedthrough a liquid toner solution which develops the image.

In many of the aforedescribed electrostatic photocopy machines, theleading edge of the copy paper was utilized for turning on switchesdisposed in the copy paper pathway. Recently, the copy paper generallyused has been thinner and substantially lighter in weight than in thepast. Due to this, the copy paper frequently was unable to depress theswitches in the copy paper pathway, and thereby caused a pile up andjamming of the copy paper. The photocopy machine herein eliminates allthe switches previously positioned in the copy paper pathway andprovides a cam arrangement for positively controlling the on-off ofthese switches.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an electrostaticphotocopy machine for reproducing increments of a moving document onto amoving length of sensitized copy paper. A switch control means is usedto positively control the on-ofi of the corona power supply and the highintensity lamp.

The switch control means comprises a cam which moves in a singlerotational direction from a start point determined by a first stop meansto an operative point determined by a second stop means. Upon release ofthe first stop means, which occurs after the movement of the originaldocument depresses a document-switch, the cam revolves and switches acopy-switch from an initial position to an operative position, ,to turnon the corona power supply and the high intensity exposure lamp. Asecond stop means blocks further rotation of the cam, the eifect ofwhich is to maintain the corona and lamp on. The second stop means isreleased after the trailing edge of the original passes thedocument-switch. However, due to the speed of rota: tion of the cam,which was set by a predetermined gear ratio and the shape of the cam,the copy-switch is not switched back to its initial position until thetrailing edge of the original document has passed the document scanningwindow.

Accordingly, a primary object of the invention is to provide a switchcontrol means to control one or more of the operations required forreproducing an original document.

Another object is to provide a cam driven by a gear means linked to thechain drive of the machine whereby said delay time is determinedrotational speed of the cam.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from theillustrations in the accompanying drawings and the followingspecification and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to the drawings in which thesame characters of reference are employed to indicate corresponding orsimilar parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the photocopy machine embodying theprinciples of the invention, and showing the machine when used as a bookcopier;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the photocopy machine of FIG. 1 whenused as a sheet copier;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view showing the mechanical drive means andthe cam-switch control means gear-linked to the drive means;

FIG. 4 is a sectional mechanical schematic view showing the maincomponent parts of the machine for primarily by the reproducing anoriginal document;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the cam-switch control means;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a book copier attachment for use whenthe photocopy machine is used as a book copier;

FIG. 7 illustrates the pivot means when the movable section is in aclosed-position; 2

FIG. 8 illustrates the pivot means when the movable section is pivotedfrom the closed toward an open-position;

FIG. 9 illustrates the movable section in the openposition;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of the pivot means when themovable section is in the openposition; and

FIG. 11 is an electrical schematic of the machine.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the severalfigures of the drawings, the reference numeral 10 indicates generally acom bination sheet and book electrostatic photocopy machine embodyingthe principles of the invention. The outer structure of the machine 10is substantially rectangular shaped and includes a front sidewall 13opposed to back sidewall 14, opposed end walls 15 and 16 and a top side17 (FIGS. 1 and 2). The machine 10 comprises an original documenttransport means 20 having a sheet copier position (FIG. 2) and bookcopier position (FIG. 1), a copy paper transport means 22, a cameralmeans 23 and a developer means 24 (FIG. 4).

The original document transport means includes a movable section 26 anda stationary section 28. In the sheet copier position, the movablesection 26 is in a closed-position in juxtaposition above the stationarysection 28. In the book copier position, the movable section 26 is in anopen-position extending laterally outward from the stationary section28. Pivot means 30 (FIGS. 1 and 7 thru 10) enable the movable section 26to be pivoted from the closed-position (FIG. 2) to the open-position(FIG. 1). A book copier attachment means 31 having a movable bookcarrier 31 (FIG. 6), is manually secured to the machine when theoriginal document means is in the book copier position and manuallyremoved prior to pivoting the movable section 26 into theclosed-position.

The stationary section 28 includes drive rollers 32, 33, 34 and 36rotatably mounted to sidewalls 13 and 14. Idler rollers 38, 39, 40 and42 are similarly rotatably mounted to the movable section 26. In theclosed-position, rollers 32 and 38, 33 and 39, 34 and 40 and 36 and 42afford four (4) pairs of cooperating rollers. A transparentdocument-scanning window 43 is positioned between drive rollers 34 and36.

Turning now more specifically to FIG. 4, the copy paper transport means22 transports a length of copy paper through a copy paper pathway 44from a copy paper input 46 to a copy paper output 48. The copy paper maybe stored in a roll 49 supported on a spindle 50.

The copy paper transport means 22 includes an input pair of cooperatingrollers 51 and 51' and cooperating pairs of rollers indicatedrespectively by the numerals 52 and 52', 53 and 53, 54 and 54', and 55and 55' spaced apart within pathway 44 which convey the copy paper fromthe input 46 to the output 48. An imagereceiver section 56 is positionedin the copy paper pathway 44 between roller pair 53,53 and roller pair54,54. A back-up plate 57 is opposed to and spaced from theimage-receiving section 56 to receive the copy paper therebetween.

A knife means 58 is positioned in the copy paper pathway between theinput roller pair 51,51 and roller pair 52,52. A corona sectionindicated generally by the reference numeral 60 is mounted betweenroller pairs 52,52 and 53,53. Corona section 60 charges (negatively) thephotosensitive copy paper prior to its passage across theimage-receiving section 56. The corona section receives its power fromthe high voltage power supply 60 (FIG. 1 1).

The camera means 23 comprises a mirror 62, lens 63 and a high intensityexposure lamp 64. The mirror 62 reflects the image of the originalmoving across the scanning window 43 through lens 63 and onto thesensitized copy paper passing across the image-receiving section 56. Thedeveloper means 24 includes a receptacle 65 container toner solution 66.The toner develops the exposed copy paper passing through receptacle 65after the camera means 23 has transferred the image of theoriginalthereon. The output rollers 55 and 55 squeeze the toner back into thereceptacle and transfer the copy paper onto an output conveyor means 67leading to the copy paper output 48.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 3, the mechanical drive means for theoriginal document transport system 20 and the copy paper transport means22 will be described. A motor means 70 drives a main sprocket 71, whichin turn drives a continuous revolving drive chain 72. The rollers 32,33, 34 and 36 of the stationary section 28 are linked to the chain 72respectively by sprockets 74, 75, 76 and 78. The rollers 51 52, 53, 54and 55 of the copy paper transport means 22 are similarly linked to thechain 72 respectively by sprockets 80, 81, 82, 83 and 84. The otherroller of each corresponding pair is an idler roller. A copy paperclutch means indicated generally by the reference numeral 86 couples anddecouples sprocket from the shaft of the input drive roller 51'. Whenthe clutch means 86 energizes, the input rollers 51,51 pull the copypaper from the roll 49 into the copy paper pathway 44, past the knifemeans 58 and toward the roller pair 52,52.

A document-switch 90,SW1 is centrally positioned between sidewalls 13,14 adjacent to the input drive roller 32 (FIG. 1). Referring nowparticularly to FIG. 1 1, switch 90 includes a switching arm 91 andstationary terminals 93 and 94. Arm 91 is depressed by the leading edgeof an original document or the carrier 31 from an original-position incontact with terminal 93 to a copy-position in contact with terminal 94.When switch 90 initially switches into the copy-position, clutch means86, a knife relay 95 and a first solenoid stop means 96 energize.

The knife relay 95 comprises switches 97 and 98. Switch 97 includes aswitch arm 100 and contacts 102 and 104; and switch 98 includes switcharm 106 and contacts 108 and 110. Switch arm 100 is connected toterminal 112 of a knife solenoid 113. The energizing or de-energizing ofthe solenoid 113 causes knife switch 114 to open and close. The otherterminal 115 of knife solenoid 113 is connected to line 1 of the ACpower. Contact 102 is connected to contact 93 of switch 90, and contact104 is unconnected. Switch arm 106 is connected to line 2 of the ACpower. Contact 108 is connected to contact 94 of document-switch 90, toinput power terminal 116 of the first solenoid stop means 96 and aterminal 118 of knife switch 114. The other input power terminal 119 ofthe stop means 96 is connected to AC line 1. Contact 110 is connected toinput power terminal 120 of a second solenoid stop means 122. Inputpower terminal 124 of knife relay 95 is connected to AC line 1 and inputterminal 126 is connected to switch arm 128 of knife switch 114 andterminal 129 of copy clutch means 86.

A light relay 130 includes a switch member 132 having a switch arm 134moving between contacts 135 and 136. Switch arm 134 is connected to ACline 1; contact 135 is connected to input power terminal 144 of thesecond solenoid stop means 122, to the corona power supply 60' and tothe high intensity exposure 64; and contact 136 is connected to heatermeans 146. Input power 137 and 138 of relay 130 are connectedrespectively to AC line 2 and contact 140 of a copy-switch 142,SW2.

Contact 148 of copy-switch 142,SW2 is connected to terminal 150 ofclutch means 86; and switch arm 152 of copy-switch 142 is connected toAC line 1. The corona power supply 60' and exposure lamp 64 are turnedon when switch arm 152 connects with contact 140.

A cam-switch control means indicated generally by the reference numeral156 (FIGS. 3, 5 and 11) cooperates with the copy-switch 142 to primarilycontrol the onoff of the corona and the exposure lamp. The switchcontrol means 156 comprises a cam 158 comprising an outward extendingneck portion 162 having an arcuate outer edge 162'. The leading sideedge 163 of the cam abutts fingers 164, 165 respectively of the firstand second solenoid stop means 96 and 122 at different times of thecopycycle. The outer edge 166 of neck portion 162 depresses the switchar m152 of the copy-switch 142.

The fingers 164, 165 respectively solenoid stop means 96 and 122 blockcam 158 when in a de-energized condition and release the cam in anenergized condition.- Fingers 164 and 165 are attached substantiallyperpendicular to the corresponding outer end of bar 166 which pivotsaround a centrally positioned pivot point 166'. The inner end of bar 166is attached to the corresponding solenoid piston 167. In the energizedcondition, the piston 167 of the corresponding solenoid stop means ispulled inwardly against the resilient forces of a resilient member 167',and the finger 164 or 165 contacting the cam is moved away from the camside edge 163, by the bar 166 pivoting around pin 166'.

A gear drive means indicated generally by reference numeral 168 linkscam 158 with the chain drive 72 (FIG. 3). Gear means 168 comprises aninput gear 170, output gear 172 and intermediate gears 174 and 176.Input gear 170 meshes with chain coupling gear 178 which is mounted onthe shaft 180 of roller 53 (FIG. 3). Sprocket 82 linked with main chain72 is also mounted on shaft 180. Output gear 172 and cam 158 are mountedon stub shaft 182 (FIG. 5). Intermediate gear 176 is linked withintermediate gear 174 and the output gear 172. Input gear 170 andintermediate gear 174 are mounted on stub shaft 184, and gear 176 ismounted on pin 185.-

The rotational speed of cam 158 is the same as the rotational speed ofthe output gear 172. The speed of the output gear with respect to thespeed of the chain 72 or a gear directly linked with the chain isdetermined by the size of the coupling gear 178, the input gear 170, theintermediate gear 174 and the output gear 172. Gear 176 functionprimarily as a transmission gear.

Pivot means 30 is connected to the movable section 26 and sidewall 13,and another pivot means 30 is connected to movable section 26 andsidewall 14; and both pivot means are connected together by a bar 190. Aplate 192 is connected to the movable section 26 by a pivot pin 193 andto the stationary section 28 by pivot pin 194. A bracket 196 is securedto the corresponding sidewall 13, 14 and includes an upper stop 198 anda lower stop 200. In the closed-position for the movable section 26, bar190 abutts the lower stop 200. When rotating the movable section 26 tothe open-position, the plate 192 pivots around pivot pin 194 until bar190 abutts the upper stop 198 (FIG. 8). The movable section 26 is thenpivoted around pin 193 until reaching the open-position (FIGS. 9 and10). In moving the movable section 26 from the open-position to theclosed-position, the plate 192 is pivoted around pin 194 until the bar190 abutts stop 200; then the movable section is pivoted around pin 193until reaching the closed-position.

6 SYSTEM OPERATION Referring particularly to FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 11, the

operation of the sequential switching of the machine will be described.All switches in FIG. 11 are shown in their respective positions prior toinserting an original document into the machine for reproduction. Whenthe original document is inserted, its leading edge switches thedocument-switch 90,SW1 from the original-position to the copy-position,causing the clutch means 86, the knife relay 95 and the first solenoidstop means 96 to energize. The energized clutch means 86 enables inputrollers 51,51 to pull the copy paper into pathway 44.

In the energized or on state for knife relay 95, switch 97 provides apathway from AC line 2 to terminal 112 of the knife solenoid 113, whichbecomes the sole pathway to line 2 for the knife solenoid after thedocument-switch is switched back to its original position; and switch 98provides a pathway from AC line 2 to terminal 126 of the knife relay viaknife switch 114, to maintain the knife relay 95 energized for the timeinterval after the document-switch 90 has returned to its originalposition and prior to the operation of the knife solenoid 113 of knifemeans 58.

Prior to the release of the first solenoid stop means 96 from contactwith the cam 158, the outer edge 162' of neck portion 162 of the cammaintains switch arm 152 in connection with contact 148 of thecopy-switch 142, which is its initial-position. When the first solenoidstop means 96 is energized, piston 167 is pulled inward causing bar 166to pivot clockwise whereby finger 164 is moved out of contact with cam158. The cam now free of contact with finger 164 rotates clockwise inresponse to the gear drive means 68, until the leading edge 163 of neckportion 162 abutts the second finger 165 of the second solenoid stopmeans 122 (FIG. 5). During the cam movement between the first and secondstop means 96 and 122, the neck portion 162 moves out of contact withthe copy-switch 142,SW2. When this occurs, the copy-switch 142 switchesinto its operational-position, thereby severing the path between AC line2 and clutch means 86 and energizing the light relay 130. When theclutch means is de-energized, roller 51 is decoupled from chain 72 andthe copy paper is primarily pulled into pathway 44 by drive roller 52.

When light relay is energized, relay switch 132 severs the path betweenthe heater means 146 and AC line 2 nd connects AC line 2 with the coronahigh voltage power supply 60, the exposure lamp 64, and terminal 144 ofthe second solenoid stop means 122.

When the trailing edge of the original document has moved past thedocument-switch 90,SW1, switch 90 returns to its original position;thereby providing a current path between AC line 2 and terminal 1 12 ofknife solenoid 113 via switch 97 of knife relay 95. This energizes theknife solenoid 113, causing a length of copy paper to be severed fromthe roll and the solenoid switch 114 to break open.

When solenoid switch 114 is open, the path between terminal 126 of theknife relay 95 and AC line 2 is severed, causing the knife relay 95 tode-energize. Switch 98, in its de-energized or off state, severs the AClink with the first solenoid stop means 96 and provides a link betweenAC line 2 and terminal 120 of the second solenoid stop means 122,causing respectively the first stop means 96 to de-energize and thesecond stop means 122 to energize.

When the second stop means 22 is energized, piston 167 is pulled inwardcausing bar 166 to pivot clockwise whereby finger 164 is moved out ofcontact with cam 158. The cam, now free of contact with finger 165,responds to gear drive means 168 and continues its clockwise rotationuntil contacting finger 164 of the first stop means 96. Prior toreaching finger 164, the cam switches the copy-switch 142,SW2 from theoperational position to the initial position.

When the copy-switch 142 switches back to the initial-position, lightrelay 130 is de-energized, thereby turning off the corona power supply60' and the exposure lamp 64. Now the machine is in standby awaitinganother original document.

The system operation was described when the I machine 10 is in the sheetcopier position. When the machine is in the book-copier position, thecarrier 31 controls the switching of the document-switch SW1,90.

The foregoing specification and description are intended as illustrativeof the invention, the scope of which is defined in the following Claims.

We claim:

1. In a photocopy machine having a power source, a first transportsystem operated by said power source during each photo-copying cycle formoving an original document past a scanning zone, a second transportsystem operated by said power source for synchronized movement ofphoto-sensitive sheet material on which copies are to be made through acharging zone containing electrostatic facilities and an image receivingzone containing illuminating facilities, means for actuation of saidelectrostatic facilities and said illuminating facilities incoordination with the movement of said sheet material comprising thecombination of:

a cam slippably driven by said power source;

switch means operated by said cam for actuating said electrostaticfacilities and said illuminating facilities;

a first cam stopper adapted to engage said cam at the start of eachphotocopying cycle to prevent movement of said cam;

a second cam stopper spaced from said first cam stopper also adapted toengage said cam to prevent movement thereof;

a document sensor disposed adjacent said first transport system to sensea document moving past said sensor;

means responsive to said sensor for disengaging said first cam stopperfrom said cam during the time that said sensor senses a document movingtherepast and for engaging said second cam stopper with said cam duringthe time that;

said sensor senses a document moving therepast and to disengage fromsaid cam when the sensor senses that said document has moved past saidsensor.

2. The actuating means of claim 1 wherein said cam is provided with aneck portion and a recessed portion, said neck portion being engageablesequentially by said cam stoppers and said switch means being biasedtoward said cam in a manner to bear thereagainst, said ggitch means ingin th; operativ position w en armg against e recesse portion 0 said caman in the inoperative position when bearing against the neck portionthereof.

3. The actuating means of claim 2 wherein said switch means ispositioned so as to bear against said neck portion when the cam neckportion is engaged by said first cam stopper.

4. The actuating means of claim 3 wherein said neck portion is ofsufficient length to retain said switch means in the inoperativeposition for a measured time after said cam neck portion is disengagedby said first cam stopper.

5. The actuating means of claim 4 wherein said switch means is disposedopposite the recessed portion of said cam when the cam neck portion isengaged by said second cam stopper.

6. The actuating means of claim 5 wherein said recessed portion is ofsufficient length to cause said switch means to remain in the operativeposition for a measured time after said cam neck portion is disengagedby said second cam stopper.

7. The actuating means of claim 6 wherein the document sensor is ayieldable switch interposed in the path of movement of a document movedby said first transport system and adapted to yield upon contact withsuch document to thereby actuate solenoid means for operating said camstoppers and to be released when no longer in contact with suchdocument.

1. In a photocopy machine having a power source, a first transportsystem operated by said power source during each photocopying cycle formoving an original document past a scanning zone, a second transportsystem operated by said power source for synchronized movement ofphoto-sensitive sheet material on which copies are to be made through acharging zone containing electrostatic facilities and an image receivingzone containing illuminating facilities, means for actuation of saidelectrostatic facilities and said illuminating facilities incoordination with the movement of said sheet material comprising thecombination of: a cam slippably driven by said power source; switchmeans operated by said cam for actuating said electrostatic facilitiesand said illuminating facilities; a first cam stopper adapted to engagesaid cam at the start of each photocopying cycle to prevent movement ofsaid cam; a second cam stopper spaced from said first cam stopper alsoadapted to engage said cam to prevent movement thereof; a documentsensor disposed adjacent said first transport system to sense a documentmoving past said sensor; means responsive to said sensor for disengagingsaid first cam stopper from said cam during the time that said sensorsenses a document moving therepast and for engaging said second camstopper with said cam during the time that; said sensor senses adocument moving therepast and to disengage from said cam when the sensorsenses that said document has moved past said sensor.
 2. The actuatingmeans of claim 1 wherein said cam is provided with a neck portion and arecessed portion, said neck portion being engageable sequentially bysaid cam stoppers and said switch means being biased toward said cam ina manneR to bear thereagainst, said switch means being in the operativeposition when bearing against the recessed portion of said cam and inthe inoperative position when bearing against the neck portion thereof.3. The actuating means of claim 2 wherein said switch means ispositioned so as to bear against said neck portion when the cam neckportion is engaged by said first cam stopper.
 4. The actuating means ofclaim 3 wherein said neck portion is of sufficient length to retain saidswitch means in the inoperative position for a measured time after saidcam neck portion is disengaged by said first cam stopper.
 5. Theactuating means of claim 4 wherein said switch means is disposedopposite the recessed portion of said cam when the cam neck portion isengaged by said second cam stopper.
 6. The actuating means of claim 5wherein said recessed portion is of sufficient length to cause saidswitch means to remain in the operative position for a measured timeafter said cam neck portion is disengaged by said second cam stopper. 7.The actuating means of claim 6 wherein the document sensor is ayieldable switch interposed in the path of movement of a document movedby said first transport system and adapted to yield upon contact withsuch document to thereby actuate solenoid means for operating said camstoppers and to be released when no longer in contact with suchdocument.